Mexborough & Swinton Times, August 24, 1907

Mr. & Mrs. John Dyson.

Bolton is not without its octogenarian, but none can be more, popular than our old shoemaker, Mr. John. Dyson, who reached his eightieth birthday on Wednesday.

He is a fine type of old man, upon whom age can make but slow impression. He still carries on his work as cobbler in his shop, near to Back Lane, six days in the week, and between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

His daily recreation consists of a short -walk as far as the Lodge, and he may be seen enjoying this every day between twelve and one.

Mr. Dyson was born at South Elmsall, a very different place from what it is now, on August 7th, 1827. The circumstances of his family would not permit of his having a sound education, but before he left school he could read and write, but, as he said, do very little summing. He had at every chance he got to earn a little money to help to swell the family exchequer. At an early age, however, he went to Barnby Dun, where he spent exactly seven years in learning the art- of boot making and repairing.

For the next few years, as was the custom in those days after apprenticeship, he was a travelling workman, but after his marriage —at Hickleton Church, on May 30th, 1853,—he settled down at South Elmsall, where he lived a further six years. After leaving there he went to Barmboro’, where he spent the next 21 years of his life. There he worked for the inhabitants of Mickleton and Barmboro’, and even knew what it was to trudge to Bolton with boots. In the year 1876, or somewhere about the time Wath Main was being sunk, he came to live at Bolton, and worked at that colliery for five years.

At this time, Mr. Charity and Mr. Chas. Watson came into the village and they, with Mr. Dyson, who was a prominent Primitive, and a few other friends, founded the Primitive Methodist Society at Bolton. Mr. Dyson has never since withdrawn any of his support, and is still a regular attender and keen helper at everything connected with that chapel. His wife, who still survives, was born on the eleventh of September, 1828, is a native of the district, and before marriage lived in the village of Hickleton.

The old couple, who are still living happily together, have had a family of thirteen, only eight of whom are now alive. ‘The eldest one, Mr. William Dyson, lives in Bolton, and is 53 years of age.